White Spot (web site) is a popular Canadian chain of restaurants that serves American style food, such as burgers, chicken, salads, and breakfast, as well as some creative or ethnic dishes on the currently featured menu. One of their downtown Vancouver locations is at 580 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, phone (604)662-3066, which is within walking distance of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, GM Place Stadium, and BC Place Stadium, as well as Pacific Centre Mall and the Four Seasons Hotel. (Click here to view a list of White Spot’s 34 locations in the Lower Mainland area.)

I ordered the Chicken Gai Yang ($14.99, pictured below) which their website describes as, “Fresh pineapple, red pepper, green onions, mushrooms and bean sprouts simmered with coconut milk, lemon grass and lime juice over Jasmine rice. Topped with fresh grilled chicken breast marinated in lemon grass, curry paste, ginger and cilantro and garnished with house-made peanut sauce, a traditional Thai cucumber relish and cilantro.” It was nicely presented, and had some tasty combinations of flavors.

Video from White Spot restaurant:

Quiznos is a fast food chain restaurant that serves grilled subs and pizzas with fresh ingredients. Their downtown Yaletown location (206B Davie St., Vancouver, phone 604-647-0123) is a bit hard to get to because of the Canada Line construction, but is worth a visit if you’re in the area. Click here for addresses and maps to Quiznos’ other numerous locations in Vancouver.  My favorite sub at Quiznos is the Turkey Bacon Guacamole (pictured below, around $8.50), which is no longer displayed on the menu, but can be ordered on request at most locations. Quiznos is a slightly more upscale competitor to the Subway chain of sandwich restaurants, and Quiznos uses a different toasting process which I find doesn’t dry out the bread as much. The menu at Quiznos also features some vegetarian selections.

Milestones (more info, 1109 Hamilton Street, 604-684-9111) is a trendy chain restaurant which offers a selection of westcoast and American cuisine. The downtown Vancouver Yaletown location has been recently renovated in a post-modern/minimalist style with exposed wooden ceiling beams, halogen spot lighting, comfortable cushion booth seating, a brand new sound system and wide screen televisions. Price for entrees lies in the $15 to 20 range, and the restaurant also has an extensive drink menu. Service is generally excellent: the staff are personable and attentive. I ordered the Portobello Mushroom Chicken which was an inventive dish (pictured below, $16.95) that featured chopped portobello mushrooms with chicken cooked in olive oil served over a capellini pasta.